asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he has any plans to reopen Ardmore Studios; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ardmore Studios.
7.
Current Government policy in relation to Ardmore Studios is that the liquidator is still under instructions to sell the studios as studios. The lack of substantive progress to date in this regard is obviously a major factor in the consideration of future policy, but as this has not yet been finalised, I am not in a position to indicate whether changes are called for.
Is the Minister saying that the Government have no proposal to reopen Ardmore Studios apart from the liquidator trying to sell it?
I am not saying that. The Government are looking at various lines of action at present. I do not want to go into detail on that. Clearly it would have been desirable to sell the studios to a purchaser who would operate them on a profitable basis as studios. To date we have not succeeded in getting that although there have been a number of apparently tempting offers made which, however, did not materialise when it came to paying over the money. This has happened more than once. Hence the rather long period which has elapsed since the studios came into the position, legally that they are now in. Enough time has elapsed for decisions to be taken and for us to continue pursuing the various hopeful offers which emerge from time to time. I expect the Government will be taking decisions on Ardmore in the fairly near future.
Does the Minister not recall a great fanfare of trumpets on proposals that he has submitted to the Government some months ago for the reopening of Ardmore Studios? Have those proposals been rejected by the Government or are they still under consideration?
I was not responsible for any fanfare of trumpets. I am not sure who was the chief trumpeter in that instance, but it certainly was not me. I have had a certain number of proposals to the Government in circulation for some time. Sometimes developments occurred which suggested the possible onset of a purchaser. Then one suspended these discussions at Government until one had clarified the situation as regards the possible purchaser. Without being categorical about the particular event the Deputy had in mind — I do not remember the fanfare of trumpets — that may have been the explanation in that case. There are proposals at an advanced stage of preparation now.
But there were not a few months ago.
There were, but, as I understand it, they were affected by possible displays of interest by people who did not proceed——
Does the Minister deny the extensive articles in the national newspapers about specific proposals the Minister presented to the Government?
I cannot be expected to deny unspecified articles which appeared in the national newspapers. If the Deputy wants to ask me about a particular newspaper article, there is a mechanism whereby he can supply that article with a question which will be accepted in due course. I will then comment on the article.
This was obviously another handler's operation. It was good at the time——
That is a lot of rubbish.
I will send the articles to the Minister. I would be surprised if there was no validity to them, because he did not deny them.
(Interruptions.)
A lot of nonsense. I am surprised at the Deputy.
Will the Minister confirm that the Government have no proposals to reopen Ardmore Studios as a State financed operation? In relation to the condition of the sale of the studios and the land attached, is the Minister going to change those conditions so that the land could be sold separately for development?
It would be out of order for me to comment on proposals I might or might not be making to Government, or that the Government might or might not decide upon. I am not getting involved in a discussion on the possibilities beyond saying that the matter will be discussed at Government in the near future.
What about the condition of the land?
That comes under the answer I have given.
With all due respect, it does not. Is the Minister changing the condition of the land? That is a straight question.
We are talking about the entire studio premises, including the land, and the Government will be making a decision on this matter.
Is the Minister aware of the condition I mentioned?
Of course, I am fully aware of the situation.
I know what the Minister said when he was in Opposition at Private Members' Time——
The Deputy should not read something I did not say into my remarks.